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House tour season starts this weekend

The New Journal
Published 11:19 p.m. ET Dec. 5, 2013

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The fireplace mantle is filled with decorations, as is every room of the Bonnie McCann home near Frederica.(Photo: GARY EMEIGH/THE NEWS JOURNAL)Buy Photo

Family and friends are always a huge part of the holiday season – and so is getting a peek into total strangers' homes through the house tours and open houses that abound in December.

One traditional tour, sponsored by the Delaware Art Museum, won't happen this year as the board considers putting the energy that went into that elsewhere.

But many of the longtime open houses have their wreaths up, trees lit and and front doors wide open.

Here's a list of events you might want to consider:

Friday, Dec. 6

• Howard Pyle Studio Open House. 5:30-8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Free. A group of 36 female artists will host the open house, which will feature an art exhibit and sale of work by the members. Tours of the property are available and refreshments are included. 1305 N. Franklin St., Wilmington.(302) 656-7304; www.HowardPyleStudio.org

• Kent County Republican Women's Club House Tour. 5-8 p.m. $10. This tour includes McCann Manor, the home of Hank and Bonnie McCann, decorated with almost 200 Christmas trees of all sizes. Will include a performance by Back Swing, local artisans, a Santa shop, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa and refreshments. 3442 Canterbury Road (Del. 15), Milford. (302) 335-4772.

• Rockwood Museum Holiday Open House. 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Free. Features a Secret Santa shop operated by young entrepreneurs, costumed characters and a free photo with Santa. Performances by musical and dance groups are scattered through the weekend. While the event is free, the venue requests guests bring a nonperishable food item or new mittens, hats or scarves for the Giving Tree. 610 Shipley Road, Wilmington. (302) 761-4340.

Saturday, Dec. 7

• Candlelight Christmas in Chadds Ford. 1-6 p.m. $20 advance; $25 day of. Includes 15 festively decorated properties in and around Malborough Village and Unionville. On Saturday, buy tickets at the Chadds Ford Historical Society Barn from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and at St. Michael Lutheran Church at 109 E. Doe Run Road, Unionville from 1-4 p.m. www.chaddsford

• The Christmas Tour of Lewes.10 a.m.-4 p.m. $20 advance; $25 day of. More than 1,500 visitors are expected to tour the nine private homes on the tour. Includes antiques sale, open house at museums, and more. www.historiclewes.org; (302) 645-7670.

• Hale-Byrnes Holiday Open House. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. The historic home will be decorated for the holidays and have historical interpreters in period clothing. 606 Stanton-Christiana Road, Newark. (302) 998-3792.

• Kent and Sussex Industries Tour. 4-8 p.m. $10. Buy in advance or at the door. This tour features McCann Manor, the home of Hank and Bonnie McCann, decorated with almost 200 Christmas trees of all sizes. Will include a performance by Back Swing, local artisans, a Santa shop, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa and refreshments. 3442 Canterbury Road (Del. 15), Milford. (302) 335-4772. (302) 422-4014, ext. 3015.

• The Harrington-Greenwood-Felton Rotary Christmas House Tour. 4-8 p.m. $10. Buy in advance or at the door. This tour features McCann Manor, the home of Hank and Bonnie McCann, decorated with almost 200 Christmas trees of all sizes. Will include a performance by Back Swing, local artisans, a Santa shop, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa and refreshments. 3442 Canterbury Road (Del. 15), Milford. (302) 335-4772.

• 13th annual Spirit of Christmas 2013 Old New Castle. 9:30 am.-5:30 p.m. Free. Includes tours of historic homes and gardens, holiday crafts and musical performances. An all-day sale of crafts, gift items, used books, breads and soups will take place at New Castle Presbyterian Church, featuring a "Look What $20 Will Buy" table. The day ends with the lighting of the town's tree and caroling in Market Square at 5 p.m. The church is at 25 E. Second St., www.new castlepreschurch .org/spirit. (302) 328-3279.

• Buena Vista Holiday Open House. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. One of Delaware's most historic homes is decorated for the holidays, and visitors can create their own holiday ornament utilizing natural materials. Presented in partnership with the Delaware Nature Society. 661 S. Dupont Highway (U.S. 13), New Castle. (302) 323-4430.

• Civil War Christmas at Belmont Hall. 1-4 p.m. $5/adults, $2/children. Visit a Civil War military encampment, ride in a horse-drawn sleigh, learn about life in the 1860s and listen to the Fieldsoup Camp Band. Children can visit Santa and make a Civil-War-era ornament. 713 Smyrna-Leipsic Road, Smyrna. (302) 264-9048.